I had the opportunity to visit two major roadworks sites in the Scenic Rim last week – both impacted by rockfalls and landslides. Main Roads and other contractors are working as fast as they can to open a side track on Beechmont Road for residents affected by the recent landslide. 2-3 metres of rock have been removed to allow for the side track to go in, along with many 9-10m steel rods inserted into the rock face to secure it. I met onsite with the overseers of the project last week, where they explained that usually, a project of this scale would be planned, designed, and researched over a couple of years. However, essential testing and planning have to be done “on the go” in this case to ensure that the road is open again as soon as possible. I have been told that the goal for the side track to open is the end of July.

It is good to see work progressing on Tamborine Mountain Road (the Goat Track) – works are reaching the end stage, with the road surface construction scheduled to commence shortly. A staggering 350 steel rods were drilled into the rockface to secure the large boulders on the hillside, and steel netting has been placed over the top of other rocks as well, to essentially pin the existing rocks to the Mountain and hopefully prevent the same event from occurring again. It is a risky job that only trained professionals can undertake, with skills in rock climbing and abseiling essential, in addition to the skills needed “on the tools”. It has been frustrating for residents who rely on this road, but seeing the work being done firsthand, I can testify that the difficulty, skill, and danger involved in the work are impressive. A lot of weather delays have pushed back the opening date for the Goat Track, but Main Roads has advised that the road will be re-open by the end of September – let’s hope they’re right! There is video footage of the road work sites on my Facebook Page: JonKrauseMP.

PRE-POLLING LOCATION ON TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN
After the recent Federal Election, it was brought to my attention that there was no pre-polling location on Tamborine Mountain. There has been in the past for State Elections, so I have made representations on behalf of the community to the ECQ asking that this early voting service remains in place for the Mountain during the next 2024 State Election. Having the option to vote early on Tamborine Mountain is one way the ECQ and AEC can alleviate pressure on a community with poor public transport options. I thank those residents who brought this important matter to my attention and hope that you will be able to pre-poll on Tamborine Mountain again for the next State Election in October 2024.

SCENIC RIM ELECTORATE OFFICE
You can contact me by phone, toll-free, on 1800 813 960, or email scenicrim@parliament.qld.gov.au, so I can lobby on your behalf in Brisbane. In an electorate as large as the Scenic Rim, there are lots of issues, and I appreciate your feedback that helps me do my job as well as possible.